Bengals exercise option on Tyler Eifert

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85) catches his second touchdown in the third quarter during the Week 1 game at the Oakland Raiders. Eifert finished with nine catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs.(Photo: Kareem Elgazzar)

The decision wasn't challenging, but is now official. The Bengals picked up the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of tight end Tyler Eifert on Wednesday. This means Eifert will now be locked up through the 2017 season.

The move comes as no surprise with Eifert in the plans for the Bengals long term. Nearly all teams pick up the options of players who maintain value to the team.

The option adds an extra year on to any first-round pick. In the case of those selected 11-32, salary comes out to the average of the 3rd-25th highest paid players at the position. In the case of Eifert, it should land at $4.8 million.

“We had very high expectations for Tyler when we drafted him, and he has met them all,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “He’s a hugely important part of our team as we go forward.”

Both of those salary numbers serve as substantial bargains given the going rate for a tight end with Eifert's production. Despite missing nearly a quarter of the season due to injury, Eifert scored 13 touchdowns, a record by four for a Bengals tight end and only one short of the NFL lead for all players. He had career highs of 52 catches and 615 yards and was an initial ballot selection for the Pro Bowl.

This offseason top tight ends in the league inked lucrative extensions. Kansas City's Travis Kelce signed for $9.3 million per season, second most among NFL tight ends (Jimmy Graham, Seattle, $10.0 million). Philadelphia's Zach Ertz landed a deal worth $8.5 million a year and Indianapolis' Dwayne Allen at $7.3 million.

The Bengals have made clear they plan to eventually try to reach a long-term extension with Eifert. As for when it would come, he likely falls into the same timetable as receiver A.J. Green. Cincinnati exercised his fifth-year option in 2014 and agreed to a deal this past September, making him the highest paid receiver per season in football. Move those landmarks up two years, and the same scenario leaves Eifert landing a deal in September of '17.